A DE1 BINDING FACTOR 1-GLABRA2 module regulates rhamnogalacturonan I biosynthesis in Arabidopsis seed coat mucilage.

The mucilage surrounding hydrated Arabidopsis thaliana seeds is a specialized extracellular matrix composed mainly of the pectic polysaccharide rhamnogalacturonan I (RG-I). Although, several genes responsible for RG-I biosynthesis have been identified, the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms controlling RG-I production remain largely unknown. Here we report that the trihelix transcription factor DE1 BINDING FACTOR 1 (DF1) is a key regulator of mucilage RG-I biosynthesis. RG-I biosynthesis is significantly reduced in loss-of-function mutants of DF1. DF1 physically interacts with GLABRA2 (GL2) and both proteins transcriptionally regulate the expression of the RG-I biosynthesis genes MUCILAGE MODIFIED 4 (MUM4) and GALACTURONOSYLTRANSFERASE-LIKE5 (GATL5). Through chromatin immunoprecipitation-quantitative PCR and transcriptional activation assays, we uncover a cooperative mechanism of the DF1-GL2 module in activating MUM4 and GATL5 expression, in which DF1 binds to the promoters of MUM4 and GATL5 through interacting with GL2 and facilitates the transcriptional activity of GL2. The expression of DF1 and GL2 is directly regulated by TRANSPARENT TESTA GLABRA2 (TTG2) and, in turn, DF1 directly represses the expression of TTG2. Taken together, our data reveal that the transcriptional regulation of mucilage RG-I biosynthesis involves a regulatory module, comprising DF1, GL2, and TTG2.

RNA-binding protein MAC5A interacts with the 26S proteasome to regulate DNA damage response in Arabidopsis.

DNA damage response (DDR) in eukaryotes is essential for the maintenance of genome integrity in challenging environments. The regulatory mechanisms of DDR have been well-established in yeast and humans. However, increasing evidence supports the idea that plants seem to employ different signaling pathways that remain largely unknown. Here, we report the role of MODIFIER OF SNC1, 4-ASSOCIATED COMPLEX SUBUNIT 5A (MAC5A) in DDR in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). Lack of MAC5A in mac5a mutants causes hypersensitive phenotypes to methyl methanesulfonate (MMS), a DNA damage inducer. Consistent with this observation, MAC5A can regulate alternative splicing of DDR genes to maintain the proper response to genotoxic stress. Interestingly, MAC5A interacts with the 26S proteasome (26SP) and is required for its proteasome activity. MAC core subunits are also involved in MMS-induced DDR. Moreover, we find that MAC5A, the MAC core subunits, and 26SP may act collaboratively to mediate high-boron-induced growth repression through DDR. Collectively, our findings uncover the crucial role of MAC in MMS-induced DDR in orchestrating growth and stress adaptation in plants.

ERF4 and MYB52 transcription factors play antagonistic roles in regulating homogalacturonan de-methylesterification in Arabidopsis seed coat mucilage.

Homogalacturonan (HG), a component of pectin, is synthesized in the Golgi apparatus in its fully methylesterified form. It is then secreted into the apoplast where it is typically de-methylesterified by pectin methylesterases (PME). Secretion and de-esterification are critical for normal pectin function, yet the underlying transcriptional regulation mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, we uncovered a mechanism that fine-tunes the degree of HG de-methylesterification (DM) in the mucilage that surrounds Arabidopsis thaliana seeds. We demonstrate that the APETALA2/ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR (AP2/ERF) transcription factor (TF) ERF4 is a transcriptional repressor that positively regulates HG DM. ERF4 expression is confined to epidermal cells in the early stages of seed coat development. The adhesiveness of the erf4 mutant mucilage was decreased as a result of an increased DM caused by a decrease in PME activity. Molecular and genetic analyses revealed that ERF4 positively regulates HG DM by suppressing the expression of three PME INHIBITOR genes (PMEIs) and SUBTILISIN-LIKE SERINE PROTEASE 1.7 (SBT1.7). ERF4 shares common targets with the TF MYB52, which also regulates pectin DM. Nevertheless, the erf4-2 myb52 double mutant seeds have a wild-type mucilage phenotype. We provide evidence that ERF4 and MYB52 regulate downstream gene expression in an opposite manner by antagonizing each other's DNA-binding ability through a physical interaction. Together, our findings reveal that pectin DM in the seed coat is fine-tuned by an ERF4-MYB52 transcriptional complex.

MsHDZ23, a Novel Miscanthus HD-ZIP Transcription Factor, Participates in Tolerance to Multiple Abiotic Stresses.

The homeodomain-leucine zipper (HD-ZIP) transcription factors, representing one of the largest plant-specific superfamilies, play important roles in the response to various abiotic stresses. However, the functional roles of HD-ZIPs in abiotic stress tolerance and the underlying mechanisms remain relatively limited in Miscanthus sinensis. In this study, we isolated an HD-ZIP TF gene, MsHDZ23, from Miscanthus and ectopically expressed it in Arabidopsis. Transcriptome and promoter analyses revealed that MsHDZ23 responded to salt, alkali, and drought treatments. The overexpression (OE) of MsHDZ23 in Arabidopsis conferred higher tolerance to salt and alkali stresses compared to wild-type (WT) plants. Moreover, MsHDZ23 was able to restore the hb7 mutant, the ortholog of MsHDZ23 in Arabidopsis, to the WT phenotype. Furthermore, MsHDZ23-OE lines exhibited significantly enhanced drought stress tolerance, as evidenced by higher survival rates and lower water loss rates compared to WT. The improved drought tolerance may be attributed to the significantly smaller stomatal aperture in MsHDZ23-OE lines compared to WT. Furthermore, the accumulation of the malondialdehyde (MDA) under abiotic stresses was significantly decreased, accompanied by dramatically enhanced activities in several antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) in the transgenic plants. Collectively, these results demonstrate that MsHDZ23 functions as a multifunctional transcription factor in enhancing plant resistance to abiotic stresses.

The CCCH zinc finger protein C3H15 negatively regulates cell elongation by inhibiting brassinosteroid signaling.

Plant CCCH proteins participate in the control of multiple developmental and adaptive processes, but the regulatory mechanisms underlying these processes are not well known. In this study, we showed that the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) CCCH protein C3H15 negatively regulates cell elongation by inhibiting brassinosteroid (BR) signaling. Genetic and biochemical evidence showed that C3H15 functions downstream of the receptor BR INSENSITIVE 1 (BRI1) as a negative regulator in the BR pathway. C3H15 is phosphorylated by the GLYCOGEN SYNTHASE KINASE 3 -like kinase BR-INSENSITIVE 2 (BIN2) at Ser111 in the cytoplasm in the absence of BRs. Upon BR perception, C3H15 transcription is enhanced, and the phosphorylation of C3H15 by BIN2 is reduced. The dephosphorylated C3H15 protein accumulates in the nucleus, where C3H15 regulates transcription via G-rich elements (typically GGGAGA). C3H15 and BRASSINAZOLE RESISTANT 1 (BZR1)/BRI1-EMS-SUPPRESSOR 1 (BES1), two central transcriptional regulators of BR signaling, directly suppress each other and share a number of BR-responsive target genes. Moreover, C3H15 antagonizes BZR1 and BES1 to regulate the expression of their shared cell elongation-associated target gene, SMALL AUXIN-UP RNA 15 (SAUR15). This study demonstrates that C3H15-mediated BR signaling may be parallel to, or even attenuate, the dominant BZR1 and BES1 signaling pathways to control cell elongation. This finding expands our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms underlying BR-induced cell elongation in plants.

HOMEODOMAIN GLABROUS2 regulates cellulose biosynthesis in seed coat mucilage by activating CELLULOSE SYNTHASE5.

Numerous proteins involved in cellulose biosynthesis and assembly have been functionally characterized. Nevertheless, we have a limited understanding of the mechanisms underlying the transcriptional regulation of the genes that encode these proteins. Here, we report that HOMEODOMAIN GLABROUS2 (HDG2), a Homeobox-Leucine Zipper IV transcription factor, regulates cellulose biosynthesis in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) seed coat mucilage. HDG2 is a transcriptional activator with the transactivation domain located within its Leucine-Zipper domain. Transcripts of HDG2 were detected specifically in seed coat epidermal cells with peak expression at 10 d postanthesis. Disruptions of HDG2 led to seed coat mucilage with aberrant morphology due to a reduction in its crystalline cellulose content. Electrophoretic mobility shift and yeast one-hybrid assays, together with chromatin immunoprecipitation and quantitative PCR, provided evidence that HDG2 directly activates CELLULOSE SYNTHASE5 (CESA5) expression by binding to the L1-box cis-acting element in its promoter. Overexpression of CESA5 partially rescued the mucilage defects of hdg2-3. Together, our data suggest that HDG2 directly activates CESA5 expression and thus is a positive regulator of cellulose biosynthesis in seed coat mucilage.

Genome-Wide Characterization and Expression Profiling of the GRAS Gene Family in Salt and Alkali Stresses in Miscanthus sinensis.

The GRAS family genes encode plant-specific transcription factors that play important roles in a diverse range of developmental processes and abiotic stress responses. However, the information of GRAS gene family in the bioenergy crop Miscanthus has not been available. Here, we report the genome-wide identification of GRAS gene family in Micanthus sinensis. A total of 123 MsGRAS genes were identified, which were divided into ten subfamilies based on the phylogenetic analysis. The co-linearity analysis revealed that 59 MsGRAS genes experienced segmental duplication, forming 35 paralogous pairs. The expression of six MsGRAS genes in responding to salt, alkali, and mixed salt-alkali stresses was analyzed by transcriptome and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) assays. Furthermore, the role of MsGRAS60 in salt and alkali stress response was characterized in transgenic Arabidopsis. The MsGRAS60 overexpression lines exhibited hyposensitivity to abscisic acid (ABA) treatment and resulted in compromised tolerance to salt and alkali stresses, suggesting that MsGRAS60 is a negative regulator of salt and alkali tolerance via an ABA-dependent signaling pathway. The salt and alkali stress-inducible MsGRAS genes identified serve as candidates for the improvement of abiotic stress tolerance in Miscanthus.

Transcription Factors BLH2 and BLH4 Regulate Demethylesterification of Homogalacturonan in Seed Mucilage.

The polysaccharide pectin is a major component of the plant cell wall. The pectic glycan homogalacturonan (HG) is a proportionally small but important component of a specialized seed cell wall called mucilage. HG is synthesized in a highly methylesterified form, and, following secretion, is de-methylesterified by pectin methylesterases (PMEs). The degree of methylesterification of HG determines the structural and functional properties of pectin, but how methylesterification is regulated remains largely unknown. Here, we identified two BEL1-Like homeodomain (BLH) transcription factors, BLH2 and BLH4, as positive regulators of HG de-methylesterification in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) seed coat mucilage. BLH2 and BLH4 were significantly expressed in mucilage secretory cells during seed mucilage production. BLH2 and BLH4 single mutants exhibited no obvious mucilage phenotype, but the blh2 blh4 double mutant displayed significantly reduced mucilage adherence to the seed. Reduced mucilage adherence in blh2 blh4 was caused by decreased PME activity in the seed coat, which increased the degree of methylesterification of HG in mucilage. The expression of several PME metabolism-related genes, including PME58, PECTIN METHYLESTERASE INHIBITOR6, SEEDSTICK, and MYB52 was significantly altered in blh2 blh4 seeds. BLH2 and BLH4 directly activated PME58 expression by binding to its TGACAGGT cis-element. Moreover, pme58 mutants exhibited reduced mucilage adherence similar to that of blh2 blh4, and the blh2 blh4 pme58 triple mutant exhibited no additional mucilage adherence defects. Furthermore, overexpression of PME58 in blh2 blh4 rescued the mucilage adherence defect. Together, these results demonstrate that BLH2 and BLH4 redundantly regulate de-methylesterification of HG in seed mucilage by directly activating PME58.

Genome-wide identification and expression profiling of HD-ZIP gene family in Medicago truncatula.

The homeodomain-leucine zipper (HD-ZIP) transcription factors are important regulators in various developmental processes and responses to environmental stimuli. Currently, little information is available for HD-ZIP gene family in Medicago truncatula. Here we perform a genome-wide analysis of HD-ZIP gene family in M. truncatula. Totally 52 M. truncatula HD-ZIPs (MtHDZs) were identified and classified into four distinctive subfamilies (I to IV). Members clustered in the same subfamily shared similar gene structure and protein motifs. Fifty-one MtHDZs were non-evenly distributed on eight chromosomes. Segmental duplication and purifying selection mainly contributed to the expansion and retention of M. truncatula HD-ZIP gene family. Expression profiling using the publicly available microarray data revealed that MtHDZ genes exhibited distinctive tissue-specific patterns and divergent responses to drought and salt stresses. In addition, the expression profile between each paralogous pair diverged differentially. Our results identified potential targets for the genetic improvement of abiotic stress tolerance in Medicago.

KNAT7 regulates xylan biosynthesis in Arabidopsis seed-coat mucilage.

As a major hemicellulose component of plant cell walls, xylans play a determining role in maintaining the wall structure. However, the mechanisms of transcriptional regulation of xylan biosynthesis remain largely unknown. Arabidopsis seed mucilage represents an ideal system for studying polysaccharide biosynthesis and modifications of plant cell walls. Here, we identify KNOTTED ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA 7 (KNAT7) as a positive transcriptional regulator of xylan biosynthesis in seed mucilage. The xylan content was significantly reduced in the mucilage of the knat7-3 mutant and this was accompanied by significantly reduced expression of the xylan biosynthesis-related genes IRREGULAR XYLEM 14 (IRX14) and MUCILAGE MODIFIED 5/MUCILAGE-RELATED 21 (MUM5/MUCI21). Electrophoretic mobility shift assays, yeast one-hybrid assays, and chromatin immunoprecipitation with quantitative PCR verified the direct binding of KNAT7 to the KNOTTED1 (KN1) binding site [KBS,TGACAG(G/C)T] in the promoters of IRX7, IRX14, and MUM5/MUCI21 in vitro, in vivo, and in planta. Furthermore, KNAT7 directly activated the expression of IRX14 and MUM5/MUCI21 in transactivation assays in mesophyll protoplasts, and overexpression of IRX14 or MUM5/MUCI21 in knat7-3 partially rescued the defects in mucilage adherence. Taken together, our results indicate that KNAT7 positively regulates xylan biosynthesis in seed-coat mucilage via direct activation of the expression of IRX14 and MUM5/MUCI21.

An empirical study on waste generation rates at different stages of construction projects in China.

Estimation of construction waste generation is critical to construction waste management decisions. However, current construction waste estimation methods have various limitations (e.g. small samples). To address those limitations, this research conducts an empirical study to evaluate the waste generation rate of different types of waste at different construction stages. In this study, construction waste from 148 new-built residential construction sites in China were sorted and weighted on site and their waste generation rates were estimated separately. The results indicated that the amount of inorganic nonmetallic waste with a generation rate of 16.59 kg m-2 was the highest among the five types of waste (i.e. inorganic nonmetallic waste, organic waste, metallic waste, composite waste, hazardous waste), while the waste generation rate for the underground construction stage, which was 27.57 kg m-2, was the highest among the three stages (i.e. underground stage, superstructure stage, finishing stage). Compared with previous data, the new waste generation rate proposed in this research can better estimate the actual waste generation situation in construction sites, which provides reliable information for proper decision-making. Furthermore, based on the result of the empirical study, some recommendations for construction waste reduction are proposed.

Tubby-like Protein 2 regulates homogalacturonan biosynthesis in Arabidopsis seed coat mucilage.

KEY MESSAGE: A possible transcription factor TLP2 was identified to be involved in the regulation of HG biosynthesis in Arabidopsis seed mucilage. TLP2 can translocate into nucleus from plasma membrane by interacting with NF-YC3. The discovery of TLP2 gene function can further fulfill the regulatory network of pectin biosynthesis in Arabidopsis thaliana. Arabidopsis seed coat mucilage is an excellent model system to study the biosynthesis, function and regulation of pectin. Rhamnogalacturonan I (RG-I) and homogalacturonan (HG) are the major polysaccharides constituent of the Arabidopsis seed coat mucilage. Here, we identified a Tubby-like gene, Tubby-like protein 2 (TLP2), which was up-regulated in developing siliques when mucilage began to be produced. Ruthenium red (RR) staining of the seeds showed defective mucilage of tlp2-1 mutant after vigorous shaking compared to wild type (WT). Monosaccharide composition analysis revealed that the amount of total sugars and galacturonic acid (GalA) decreased significantly in the adherent mucilage (AM) of tlp2-1 mutant. Immunolabelling and dot immunoblotting analysis showed that unesterified HG decreased in the tlp2-1 mutant. Furthermore, TLP2 can translocate into nucleus by interacting with Nuclear Factor Y subunit C3 (NF-YC3) to function as a transcription factor. RNA-sequence and transactivation assays revealed that TLP2 could activate UDP-glucose 4-epimerase 1 (UGE1). In all, it is concluded that TLP2 could regulate the biosynthesis of HG possibly through the positive activation of UGE1.

MYB52 Negatively Regulates Pectin Demethylesterification in Seed Coat Mucilage.

Pectin, which is a major component of the plant primary cell walls, is synthesized and methyl-esterified in the Golgi apparatus and then demethylesterified by pectin methylesterases (PMEs) located in the cell wall. The degree of methylesterification affects the functional properties of pectin, and thereby influences plant growth, development and defense. However, little is known about the mechanisms that regulate pectin demethylesterification. Here, we show that in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) seed coat mucilage, the absence of the MYB52 transcription factor is correlated with an increase in PME activity and a decrease in the degree of pectin methylesterification. Decreased methylesterification in the myb52 mutant is also correlated with an increase in the calcium content of the seed mucilage. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis and molecular genetic studies suggest that MYB52 transcriptionally activates PECTIN METHYLESTERASE INHIBITOR6 (PMEI6), PMEI14, and SUBTILISIN-LIKE SER PROTEASE1.7 (SBT1.7) by binding to their promoters. PMEI6 and SBT1.7 have previously been shown to be involved in seed coat mucilage demethylesterification. Our characterization of two PMEI14 mutants suggests that PMEI14 has a role in seed coat mucilage demethylesterification, although its activity may be confined to the seed coat in contrast to PMEI6, which functions in the whole seed. Our demonstration that MYB52 negatively regulates pectin demethylesterification in seed coat mucilage, and the identification of components of the molecular network involved, provides new insight into the regulatory mechanism controlling pectin demethylesterification and increases our understanding of the transcriptional regulation network involved in seed coat mucilage formation.

Boron-bridged RG-II and calcium are required to maintain the pectin network of the Arabidopsis seed mucilage ultrastructure.

The structure of a pectin network requires both calcium (Ca2+) and boron (B). Ca2+ is involved in crosslinking pectic polysaccharides and arbitrarily induces the formation of an "egg-box" structure among pectin molecules, while B crosslinks rhamnogalacturonan II (RG-II) side chain A apiosyl residues in primary cell walls to generate a borate-dimeric-rhamnogalacturonan II (dRG-II-B) complex through a boron-bridge bond, leading to the formation of a pectin network. Based on recent studies of dRG-II-B structures, a hypothesis has been proposed suggesting that Ca2+is a common component of the dRG-II-B complex. However, no in vivo evidence has addressed whether B affects the stability of Ca2+ crosslinks. Here, we investigated the L-fucose-deficient dwarf mutant mur1, which was previously shown to require exogenous B treatment for phenotypic reversion. Imbibed Arabidopsis thaliana seeds release hydrated polysaccharides to form a halo of seed mucilage covering the seed surface, which consists of a water-soluble outer layer and an adherent inner layer. Our study of mur1 seed mucilage has revealed that the pectin in the outer layer of mucilage was relocated to the inner layer. Nevertheless, the mur1 inner mucilage was more vulnerable to rough shaking or ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) extraction than that of the wild type. Immunolabeling analysis suggested that dRG-II-B was severely decreased in mur1 inner mucilage. Moreover, non-methylesterified homogalacturonan (HG) exhibited obvious reassembly in the mur1 inner layer compared with the wild type, which may imply a possible connection between dRG-II-B deficiency and pectin network transformation in the seed mucilage. As expected, the concentration of B in the mur1 inner mucilage was reduced, whereas the distribution and concentration of Ca2+in the inner mucilage increased significantly, which could be the reason why pectin relocates from the outer mucilage to the inner mucilage. Consequently, the disruption of B bridges appears to result in the extreme sensitivity of the mur1 mucilage pectin complex to EDTA extraction, despite the reinforcement of the pectin network by excessive Ca2+. Therefore, we propose a hypothesis that B, in the form of dRG-II-B, works together with Ca2+to maintain pectin network crosslinks and ultimately the mucilage ultrastructure in seed mucilage. This work may serve to complement our current understanding of mucilage configuration.

Irregular xylem 7 (IRX7) is required for anchoring seed coat mucilage in Arabidopsis.

Large quantities of mucilage are synthesized in seed coat epidermis cells during seed coat differentiation. This process is an ideal model system for the study of plant cell wall biosynthesis and modifications. In this study, we show that mutation in Irregular Xylem 7 (IRX7) results in a defect in mucilage adherence due to reduced xylan biosynthesis. IRX7 was expressed in the seeds from 4 days post-anthesis (DPA) to 13 DPA, with the peak of expression at 13 DPA. The seed coat epidermis cells of irx7 displayed no aberrant morphology during differentiation, and these cells synthesized and deposited the same amount of mucilage as did wild type (WT) cells. However, the distribution of the water-soluble vs. adherent mucilage layers was significantly altered in irx7 compared to the WT. Both the amount of xylose and the extent of glycosyl linkages of xylan was dramatically decreased in irx7 water-soluble and adherent mucilage compared to the WT. The polymeric structure of water-soluble mucilage was altered in irx7, with a total loss of the higher molecular weight polymer components present in the WT. Correspondingly, whole-seed immunolabeling assays and dot-immunoassays of extracted mucilage indicated dramatic changes in rhamnogalacturonan I (RG I) and xylan epitopes in irx7 mucilage. Furthermore, the crystalline cellulose content was significantly reduced in irx7 mucilage. Taken together, these results indicate that xylan synthesized by IRX7 plays an essential role in maintaining the adhesive property of seed coat mucilage, and its structural role is potentially implemented through its interaction with cellulose.

Functional conservation and divergence of Miscanthus lutarioriparius GT43 gene family in xylan biosynthesis.

BACKGROUND: Xylan is the most abundant un-cellulosic polysaccharides of plant cell walls. Much progress in xylan biosynthesis has been gained in the model plant species Arabidopsis. Two homologous pairs Irregular Xylem 9 (IRX9)/9L and IRX14/14L from glycosyltransferase (GT) family 43 have been proved to play crucial roles in xylan backbone biosynthesis. However, xylan biosynthesis in grass such as Miscanthus remains poorly understood. RESULTS: We characterized seven GT43 members in M. lutarioriparius, a promising bioenergy crop. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis revealed that the expression of MlGT43 genes was ubiquitously detected in the tissues examined. In-situ hybridization demonstrated that MlGT43A-B and MlGT43F-G were specifically expressed in sclerenchyma, while MlGT43C-E were expressed in both sclerenchyma and parenchyma. All seven MlGT43 proteins were localized to Golgi apparatus. Overexpression of MlGT43A-E but not MlGT43F and MlGT43G in Arabidopsis irx9 fully or partially rescued the mutant defects, including morphological changes, collapsed xylem and increased xylan contents, whereas overexpression of MlGT43F and MlGT43G but not MlGT43A-E complemented the defects of irx14, indicating that MlGT43A-E are functional orthologues of IRX9, while MlGT43F and MlGT43G are functional orthologues of IRX14. However, overexpression of all seven MlGT43 genes could not rescue the mucilage defects of irx14 seeds. Furthermore, transient transactivation analyses of MlGT43A-E reporters demonstrated that MlGT43A and MlGT43B but not MlGT43C-E were differentially activated by MlSND1, MlMYB46 or MlVND7. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrated that all seven MlGT43s are functionally conserved in xylan biosynthesis during secondary cell wall formation but diversify in seed coat mucilage xylan biosynthesis. The results obtained provide deeper insight into xylan biosynthesis in grass, which lay the foundation for genetic modification of grass cell wall components and structure to better suit for next-generation biofuel production.

Xylan synthesized by Irregular Xylem 14 (IRX14) maintains the structure of seed coat mucilage in Arabidopsis.

During differentiation, the Arabidopsis seed coat epidermal cells synthesize and secrete large quantities of pectinaceous mucilage into the apoplast, which is then released to encapsulate the seed upon imbibition. In this study, we showed that mutation in Irregular Xylem 14 (IRX14) led to a mucilage cohesiveness defect due to a reduced xylan content. Expression of IRX14 was detected specifically in the seed coat epidermal cells, reaching peak expression at 13 days post-anthesis (DPA) when the accumulation of mucilage polysaccharides has ceased. Sectioning of the irx14-1 seed coat revealed no visible structural change in mucilage secretory cell morphology. Although the total amount of mucilage was comparable with the wild type (WT), the partition between water-soluble and adherent layers was significantly altered in irx14-1, with redistribution from the adherent layer to the water-soluble layer. The monosaccharide composition analysis revealed that xylose content was significantly reduced in irx14-1 water-soluble and adherent mucilage compared with the WT. The macromolecular characteristics of the water-soluble mucilage were modified in irx14-1 with a loss of the larger polymeric components. In accordance, glycome profiling and dot immunoblotting of seed mucilage using antibodies specific for rhamnogalacturonan I (RG I) and xylan confirmed the ultra-structural alterations in the irx14-1 mucilage. Meanwhile, the crystalline cellulose content was reduced in the irx14-1 mucilage. These results demonstrated that IRX14 was required for the biosynthesis of seed mucilage xylan, which plays an essential role in maintaining mucilage architecture potentially through altering the crystallization and organization of cellulose.

CELLULOSE SYNTHASE-LIKE A2, a glucomannan synthase, is involved in maintaining adherent mucilage structure in Arabidopsis seed.

Mannans are hemicellulosic polysaccharides that are considered to have both structural and storage functions in the plant cell wall. However, it is not yet known how mannans function in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) seed mucilage. In this study, CELLULOSE SYNTHASE-LIKE A2 (CSLA2; At5g22740) expression was observed in several seed tissues, including the epidermal cells of developing seed coats. Disruption of CSLA2 resulted in thinner adherent mucilage halos, although the total amount of the adherent mucilage did not change compared with the wild type. This suggested that the adherent mucilage in the mutant was more compact compared with that of the wild type. In accordance with the role of CSLA2 in glucomannan synthesis, csla2-1 mucilage contained 30% less mannosyl and glucosyl content than did the wild type. No appreciable changes in the composition, structure, or macromolecular properties were observed for nonmannan polysaccharides in mutant mucilage. Biochemical analysis revealed that cellulose crystallinity was substantially reduced in csla2-1 mucilage; this was supported by the removal of most mucilage cellulose through treatment of csla2-1 seeds with endo-ß-glucanase. Mutation in CSLA2 also resulted in altered spatial distribution of cellulose and an absence of birefringent cellulose microfibrils within the adherent mucilage. As with the observed changes in crystalline cellulose, the spatial distribution of pectin was also modified in csla2-1 mucilage. Taken together, our results demonstrate that glucomannans synthesized by CSLA2 are involved in modulating the structure of adherent mucilage, potentially through altering cellulose organization and crystallization.

Overexpression of a Miscanthus lutarioriparius NAC gene MlNAC5 confers enhanced drought and cold tolerance in Arabidopsis.

KEY MESSAGE: MLNAC5 functions as a stress-responsive NAC transcription factor gene and enhances drought and cold stress tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis via the ABA-dependent signaling pathway. NAC transcription factors (TFs) play crucial roles in plant responses to abiotic stress. Miscanthus lutarioriparius is one of Miscanthus species native to East Asia. It has attracted much attention as a bioenergy crop because of its superior biomass productivity as well as wide adaptability to different environments. However, the functions of stress-related NAC TFs remain to be elucidated in M. lutarioriparius. In this study, a detailed functional characterization of MlNAC5 was carried out. MlNAC5 was a member of ATAF subfamily and it showed the highest sequence identity to ATAF1. Subcellular localization of MlNAC5-YFP fusion protein in tobacco leaves indicated that MlNAC5 is a nuclear protein. Transactivation assay in yeast cells demonstrated that MlNAC5 functions as a transcription activator and its activation domain is located in the C-terminus. Overexpression of MlNAC5 in Arabidopsis had impacts on plant development including dwarfism, leaf senescence, leaf morphology, and late flowering under normal growth conditions. Furthermore, MlNAC5 overexpression lines in Arabidopsis exhibited hypersensitivity to abscisic acid (ABA) and NaCl. Moreover, overexpression of MlNAC5 in Arabidopsis significantly enhanced drought and cold tolerance by transcriptionally regulating some stress-responsive marker genes. Collectively, our results indicated that MlNAC5 functions as an important regulator during the process of plant development and responses to salinity, drought and cold stresses.

Conserved CO-FT regulons contribute to the photoperiod flowering control in soybean.

BACKGROUND: CO and FT orthologs, belonging to the BBX and PEBP family, respectively, have important and conserved roles in the photoperiod regulation of flowering time in plants. Soybean genome experienced at least three rounds of whole genome duplications (WGDs), which resulted in multiple copies of about 75% of genes. Subsequent subfunctionalization is the main fate for paralogous gene pairs during the evolutionary process. RESULTS: The phylogenic relationships revealed that CO orthologs were widespread in the plant kingdom while FT orthologs were present only in angiosperms. Twenty-eight CO homologous genes and twenty-four FT homologous genes were gained in the soybean genome. Based on the collinear relationship, the soybean ancestral CO ortholog experienced three WGD events, but only two paralogous gene pairs (GmCOL1/2 and GmCOL5/13) survived in the modern soybean. The paralogous gene pairs, GmCOL1/2 or GmCOL5/13, showed similar expression patterns in pair but different between pairs, indicating that they functionally diverged. GmFTL1 to 7 were derived from the same ancestor prior to the whole genome triplication (WGT) event, and after the Legume WGD event the ancestor diverged into two branches, GmFTL3/5/7 and GmFTL1/2/4/6. GmFTL7 were truncated in the N-terminus compared to other FT-lineage genes, but ubiquitously expressed. Expressions of GmFTL1 to 6 were higher in leaves at the flowering stage than that at the seedling stage. GmFTL3 was expressed at the highest level in all tissues except roots at the seedling stage, and its circadian pattern was different from the other five ones. The transcript of GmFTL6 was highly accumulated in seedling roots. The circadian rhythms of GmCOL5/13 and GmFT1/2/4/5/6 were synchronized in a day, demonstrating the complicate relationship of CO-FT regulons in soybean leaves. Over-expression of GmCOL2 did not rescue the flowering phenotype of the Arabidopsis co mutant. However, ectopic expression of GmCOL5 did rescue the co mutant phenotype. All GmFTL1 to 6 showed flower-promoting activities in Arabidopsis. CONCLUSIONS: After three recent rounds of whole genome duplications in the soybean, the paralogous genes of CO-FT regulons showed subfunctionalization through expression divergence. Then, only GmCOL5/13 kept flowering-promoting activities, while GmFTL1 to 6 contributed to flowering control. Additionally, GmCOL5/13 and GmFT1/2/3/4/5/6 showed similar circadian expression profiles. Therefore, our results suggested that GmCOL5/13 and GmFT1/2/3/4/5/6 formed the complicate CO-FT regulons in the photoperiod regulation of flowering time in soybean.